Role of surface roughness in pool boiling with Alumina-water nanofluid on a horizontal wire surface

Abstract

Boiling heat transfer is one of the major phenomenon which of late, has drawn the attention of many researchers and scientists throughout the world. With nanofluids, further boost is given in heat transfer enhancement. This research paper is the study of heat transfer enhancement using Alumina nanofluid in different volume concentrations ranging from 1 to 9%. The role of surface roughness on critical heat flux enhancement (CHF) in pool boiling with nanofluids was experimentally studied using a 36 gauge NiCr wire at atmospheric pressure. Experimentation included i) investigations on boiling heat transfer subjecting the wire surface to Alumina nanofluid at higher volume concentrations and ii) investigations on surface roughness due to surface coating, subjecting the wire surface to a single heating cycle with different volume concentrations of Alumina nanofluid. Boiling of nanofluid resulted in nanoparticle deposition and subsequent roughning of the wire surface. To substantiate the nanoparticle deposition and its effect on critical heat flux, investigation was done by studying the surface roughness and SEM images of the wire surface. The experimental results show the evidence of nanoparticle deposition on the wire surface and its effect on CHF enhancement and deterioration in pool boiling heat transfer.